Book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda simply stun when tour hits Mile High City

Sam Barnes, left, his twin boys Solomon, second from left and Samson, second from right, 15, and his wife Brandy have their photo taken in front of the theater sign as they arrive to attend opening night of the hit Broadway show Hamilton at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre on February 27, 2018 in Denver. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

The masterpiece that is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” is a seamless wonder that apparently travels well. Not having seen it on Broadway I can’t offer a comparison, but also can’t imagine being more thrilled, moved or amazed.

At Denver’s Buell Theatre through April 1, the national touring cast delivers a knockout performance. Not only are the lead voices terrific, the ensemble beautifully executes the athletic/balletic choreography. The book, music and lyrics by Miranda simply stun: Every rave, accolade and award the show has won is well represented in this production.

Austin Scott is a handsome, brooding Alexander Hamilton; Nicholas Christopher (who played George Washington on Broadway) is charming as the nemesis, Aaron Burr. Each has a slightly different intonation and cadence than the originals in each role, but fans’ strict allegiance to the soundtrack eases as the show takes hold.

Chris Lee hams it up terrifically as Thomas Jefferson (he also plays Marquis de Lafayette), Aurora local Mathenee Treco wins laughs as Hercules Mulligan (he also plays James Madison). Isiah Johnson makes a forceful father figure as George Washington.

Occasionally the rapid-fire rap lyrics are less than perfectly enunciated, though anyone who knows the soundtrack can keep up. The layers of meaning, the puns and musical references are rich. Fleeting lines, like the nod to “South Pacific’s” lesson on racism (“You’ve got to be careful taught!”), mingle with Beyonce-like lyrics and rhymes.

Mathenee Treco, Jordan Donica, Ruben J. Carbajal and Michael Luwoye in the National Tour of “Hamilton” (Joan Marcus, provided by Denver Center for the Performing Arts)

As a mashup of styles — hip hop to Gilbert and Sullivan, an R&B love song to Broadway musical anthems — the show is entirely original. As a telling of the birth of a nation and the young, scrappy, hungry folks who pulled it off, the story couldn’t be more timely. “Immigrants, we get the job done,” Hamilton and Lafayette said in a song — to a burst of cheers from the audience.

The musical inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography “Alexander Hamilton” documents the life of the supremely ambitious, brilliant and flawed founding father. Consider it a perfect dose of patriotism at a difficult national moment.

The presentation is spare — no outrageous special effects, no outlandish props — and the cast of mostly black and Latino actors reflect an intentional effort to include minorities in the historical narrative. As strong as these actors are, the real star remains the magnificent score.

“Hamilton” isn’t just a buzz-y hit of the moment. It is a pop-cultural phenom that really could change musical theater forever.

HAMILTON (**** four stars)

Book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Inspired by the book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. With Austin Scott, Julia K. Harriman, Nicholas Christopher, Sabrina Sloan, Isaiah Johnson, Chris Lee, Mathenee Treco, Amber Iman and Peter Matthew Smith. At the Buell Theatre through April 1. See rules for the DCPA ticket lottery here.